Ephesus: Emperor Worship

Shown here is an altar honoring Augustus and his nephews C. Caesar, L. Caesar, and Marcus Agrippa. The altar was erected at Ephesus between 12 B.C. and A.D. 2.

John of Patmos may have opposed emperor worship, but most citizens did not. Ephesus and other cities competed for permission to build temples to the emperors. These temples enhanced a city’s prestige and fostered good relationships with Rome. They also enabled leading citizens to obtain the honor of serving as priests in the imperial cult and helped to bring additional revenue to the city.